It is said the only way to truly experience the Broads is by boat but you can also take to the skies for a bird's-eye view of our beautiful part of the country without even leaving your armchair. Derek James reports.

Norwich Evening News: The myriad of creeks at Surlingham Broad.The myriad of creeks at Surlingham Broad. (Image: www.mike-page.co.uk copyright image)

Our 'official' aerial photographer Mike Page and writer Pauline Young have done it again... come up with a

stunning book looking down on our surroundings and this time it is The Broads National Park.

Norwich Evening News: Over Martham, looking north.Over Martham, looking north. (Image: Archant)

Open the pages and you realise how lucky we are to live where we do and just how important it is look after and cherish our surroundings. We are the guardians of the land.

The Broads Authority was created 40 years ago, in 1978, and in 2015 The Broads became one of the National Parks of Great Britain. It is the largest protected wetland in the UK and the only one of the 15 parks to include a city, Norwich.

Now Mike and Pauline take us on an A to Z journey over the quite extraordinary Broads from Acle to Great Yarmouth, and from Alderfen to Wroxham Broad.

The foreword to this wonderful book comes from Dr Carl Sayer of University College, London, who writes: 'For me, as a geographer and natural historian, the aerial photographs in this book are inspiring as they show how connected the fens, marshes and swampy corridors are that form the great Broads mosaic.

'And some of the pictures in this book show scenes of great beauty. If it is a cold and drab day and you are need of cheering up, take a look at the sun setting over Hickling Broad and you will feel a warm glow,' says Dr Sayer.

He adds: 'The Broads system is naturally, historically and culturally unique and this book is a real celebration of the place as captured in the early 21st century.'

Even modest Mike – who has now published a small library of books containing his photographs – admits he is pleased with the new one and points to the quality of the paper it is printed on!

What he fails to mention is that he is a man who has opened up this part of the country in a way no-one else has ever done. And we should all thank him.

Every picture – which comes with words from gifted Pauline – illustrates the Broads so well and Gorleston-born Mike can be proud of his latest offering looking down on the beauty of the Broads.

Mike went to school at Beccles and became a boat builder before, 45 years ago, opening a garage business at Strumpshaw with his wife Gillian. It is now run by his son and daughter.

His interest in flying began in 1960 when he joined the newly-formed Waveney Flying Group, flying as a passenger in Tiger Moth aircraft from Seething.

We should all be pleased that his two great interests, flying and taking photographs, came together and have resulted in so many fine books. Mike's first book was published by Halsgrove in 2005. This is his 18th and it is a wonderful work of art.

With his camera hand-held, he takes pictures through the open window of his Cessna 150 – painting a glorious picture of our corner of the country.

The Broads National Park From The Air by Mike Page and Pauline Young is published by Halsgrove and is in the shops now at £16.99.